Brief description: Design for a single light stained glass window depicting St Michael
Proposed design for the window depicting St. Michael slaying the dragon. The story of the archangel Michael slaying the dragon comes from the Book of Revelation (Revelation 12:7), where the dragon represents evil. In art, this scene is iconographically similar to St. George. Here, Webb has leant into that similarity by placing a St. George's cross on St. Michael's shield. We can tell this is Michael because he has wings. There is a dedication at bottom to a fallen World War II soldier. The depiction of the Archangel Michael, associated with war, and the nod to the patriotic St. George are apt choices for a soldier fallen during the Second World War. An alternate design depicting St. George for the same client is also in the museum's collection (ELYGM:2024.14.47). The window is set against a quarry background. This design was created by Christopher Webb (1886–1966), an English stained glass designer based in St Albans, Hertfordshire. He studied at the Slade School of Art and was then articled to Sir Ninian Comper. During his active career from 1920 to 1964 he produced over 400 windows with a distinctive character and style.
Object type: preparatory artwork design
Number of objects: 1
Production date: 1
Production period: 20th century
Designer: Christopher Webb (1886 - 1966)
Dimensions: Height: 151 mm, Width: 241 mm
Inscription: base REMEMBER BEFORE GOD LT. COL. ED. LANGLEY BOWVING D.S.Q, OBE (1882-1956) AND HIS SON LT ROLAND LANGLEY BOWVING, KILLED IN ACTION AT AZIO, FEB 1944 AGED 21.
Original location: Felpham Parish Church, Felpham, Sussex
Acquisition: gift 13.3.2024
Acquisition source: Edwards, J
This item is not currently on display and can only be viewed by prior arrangement
Accession number: ELYGM:2024.14.50
